Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;Chalunair&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum cultivar is provided that is the result of a controlled breeding program. Attractive daisy spoon-type blossoms having red-purple ray florets and green changing to yellow disc florets are formed in profusion. Such blossoms commonly are approximately 6.5 cm in diameter when fully open. The growth habit is low and compact and well-branched and yields a generally uniform and spherical overall plant. The foliage is elegant dark green and contrasts well with the bicolored blossom coloration, and the stems are somewhat flexible. The plant is well suited for growing in pots.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL CLASSIFICATION

[0001]Dendranthema grandifloria/Decorative Pot Mum

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

[0002] cv. ‘Chalunair’

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, andhereafter is referred to by the cultivar name ‘Chalunair’.

[0004] The new cultivar of the present invention was created at Nuaillé,France during the course of a controlled breeding program. The seedsresulting from the cross were sown and small plants were obtained whichwere physically and biologically different from each other. Selectivestudy resulted in the identification of a single plant of the newvariety of the present invention.

[0005] It was found that the new Chrysanthemum cultivar of the presentinvention displays:

[0006] (a) a low compact, well-branched, and generally uniform sphericalgrowth habit,

[0007] (b) forms attractive long-lasting decorative daisy spoon-typeblossoms having red-purple ray florets and green changing to yellow discflorets,

[0008] (c) forms flexible stems,

[0009] (d) forms attractive elegant dark green leaves, and

[0010] (e) an ability to grow well in pots.

[0011] The new cultivar can be grown singly or in clumps in pots. Italso can be grown in the landscape. The bicolored red-purple and yellowblossoms contract nicely with the elegant dark green foliage. Theblossoms have been found to be long lasting and commonly lastapproximately three weeks on the plant. Pinching is helpful to furtherenhance branching; however, such pinching is not necessary since theplant already is naturally self-branching.

[0012] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by the use of cuttingsas performed at Nuaillé, France, in a controlled environment hasdemonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and are retained through successive generations of asexualpropagation.

[0013] ‘Chalunair’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such astemperature, light, day length, contact with pesticides and/orsubjection to grown regulation treatments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0014] The accompanying FIG. 1 depicts the typical bicolored red-purpleand yellow blossoms and elegant foliage of the new ‘Chalunair’ cultivarwhile growing in a pot in a greenhouse at Nuaillé, France. The abilityof the blossom coloration to contrast well with the elegant dark greenfoliage is illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The plants described were grown in pots in a greenhouse atNuaillé, France. No growth regulation was used. The growing conditionsapproximate those commonly utilized for the commercial production ofdecorative pot mums.

[0016] General Appearance:

[0017] Short and stocky with a generally uniform spherical growth habit.

[0018] Foliage:

[0019] Attractive dark green and elegant.

[0020] Stems:

[0021] Somewhat flexible.

[0022] Flowers:

[0023] Possess a daisy spoon-type configuration. The ray florets arered-purple and the disc florets are green changing to yellow withmaturity. The diameter is approximately 6.5 cm when fully expanded. Theflowering is uniform.

[0024] Flower Duration:

[0025] Very long lasting with the blossoms commonly lastingapproximately three weeks on the plant.

[0026] Response Time:

[0027] The time between the beginning of the short day period and theflowering date at normal temperature and light intensity is rapid andapproximately seven and one-half weeks.

[0028] Usage:

[0029] Decorative pot mum.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant thatdisplays: (a) a low compact, well-branched, and generally uniformspherical growth habit, (b) forms attractive long-lasting decorativedaisy spoon-type blossoms having red-purple ray florets and greenchanging to yellow disc florets, (c) forms flexible stems, (d) formsattractive elegant dark green leaves, and (e) an ability to grow well inpots; substantially as illustrated and described.